"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)

Contributors

We are a community of confessing believers who love the gospel of Jesus Christ, affirm the Biblical and Christ-exalting truths of the Reformation such as the five solas, the doctrines of grace, monergistic regeneration, and the redemptive historical approach to interpreting the Scriptures.

Essential Theology

Top Ten Books on Piety, Sanctification, Spiritual Growth

Recently I posted an excerpt from William Gurnall's classic work, The Christian in Complete Armour and mentioned that this was on our top ten list of books of all time on piety, sanctification, spiritual growth. A visitor asked what the other books were on this list. The following list is in no particular order but consisitute our top ten. No doubt many of you will have different books on your list so feel free to post those that have had an impact on you. These are not in any particular order.

1. The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ
by Walter Marshall - Hands Down, the best human-authored book on sanctification ever produced.

2.The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal
Critical work! Sanctification occurs because the human soul has been united to Christ and participates in the divine nature. A person is a Christian because of what Christ has done for us, not what we do for ourselves. The Christian life is the same as He and continues to live and intercede for us. He is our sanctification.

3. The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
If you lack assurance, are hurting, weak and suffering under the burden of sin, read this book, and by reading you will be amazed how helpful this is to yourself and your ministry to others.

04. The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
Truly an amazing book. John Owen never dissapoints. Our favorite Puritan author. In a related work, Owen's treatment of the Holy Spirit is the finest we have ever read.

05. Crook in the Lot (Hardback) by Thomas Boston
One of our favorite books of all time. While this book is about providence and the sovereignty of God, the depth of Boston's biblical insight will help you better get a bird's eye view of reality resulting in a life of genuine piety. We studied through this book with our early morning men's group and the result was changed lives.

06. The Fear of God by John Bunyan
This is a great book to give anyone new to the faith and a blessing to those who have already been Christians. A true classic which I am currently reading and benefitting immensely from.

07. Everlasting Righteousness, Horatius Bonar - The Everlasting Righteousness may be the best book on the doctrine of justification by faith alone ever written. Presented here in modern English and spelling, Bonars classic book is a clear and accurate explanation of the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although this book is about justificaiton, this is the most foundational book we have found as a basis of understanding sanctification.

09. Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Truly a rich little gem that is to be read and reread. Classic!.

10. The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Pub. 1662-1665)
This is, no doubt, the most comprehensive work ever written on the subject of spiritual warfare. Itâ€™s a massive tome, but there are few books in existence that I would recommend more highly. Very Edifying. A must own for your library.

John, the timing of this article seems most providential. One of the gentlemen in my mens group wrote to us, the day before you posted this, desiring for our group to "get serious" and quote, "I'd like to suggest we begin the next phase by looking at probably the greatest issue in our personal lives and that being growth in personal sanctification and holiness."
Thank you for a wonderful list of guides to assist us in this next phase. Your number one listing sounds like a perfect starting point for us.

This has been a huge theme for a lot of Christians lately, at least from my perspective, that is a move towards not just a head knowledge but a heart understanding and seeking of Holiness. The Banner of Truth Conference two weeks ago spent three days focusing on just this, our pursuit of Holiness and our Sanctification as saints. I just finished Thomas Watson on The Great Gain of Godliness. I would recommend this as a good book as well to look into where as it highlights the fear of God as the key factor to an authentic pursuit of holiness. Thanks for the book list.

Thank you for a very interesting and helpful list. I'm confused about the numbering at you list Marshall's as "the best" yet list him at number ten. So is Marshall number one or ten? Also, I don't know if you make it a practice to respond to comments, but I would love to know your thoughts on Koberle's Quest for Holiness. It really is a must read for anyone doing a thorough study of sanctification.

I just finished reading the first two chapters of "Quest for Holiness." I read that far because it took me the full two chapters to clearly see where he was going with his strange creation of pelagian strawmen out of Augustine, Aquinas, and virtually all Christian mystics and intellectuals. I suspected that he was going to turn out to be of the "Neo-orthodox" sect of Modernism, but the third-from-last paragraph of Chapter 2, in which he states a plain Reformation doctrine, and one which would be fully agreed to by virtually all of those he attacks, by quoting Barth and Kierkegaard, confirmed my guess to my own satisfaction. I doubt if I will continue far enough in my reading of this misleading book to see if it shares Barth's views of Scripture as fallible, etc.

If I have formed a false impression from not finishing the book, I hope someone will correct me.

By the way, I would replace Koberle with C.S. Lewis' more solidly Protestant and traditional "Miracles." If the meaning of "Reformation Theology" in the board's name means "Reformed," rather than "Protestant," Lewis might not be your choice, because he is no thoroughgoing Calvinist.

EXCELLENT LIST OF BOOKS TO READ.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS: THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD BY
STEPHEN CHARNOCK. THE PURITIANS ARE GREAT EXAMPLES TO US THAT EXALT
& HONOR GOD AND CHALLENGE US ALL TO A HIGHER & DEEPER LOVE FOR CHRIST TODAY !!!
Waiting for our King!!
Kathy C